L&S C60U Marx, Nietzsche and Freud

In this course we will investigate the various ways in which Marx, Nietzsche and Freud -- three of the most important thinkers in modern western thought -- can be read as responding to the Enlightenment and its notions of reason and progress. We will consider how each of them remakes a scientific understanding of truth, knowledge and subjectivity, such that rationality, logic and the powers of human cognition are shown to be distorted, limited, and subject to forces beyond our individual control. We will begin with short excerpts of Marx that encapsulate central elements of his thought on power and ideology. We will then turn to Nietzsche on the production of truth and the origins of morality. In the third part of our course will examine Freud's concepts of the unconscious and repression.

All lectures and readings will be in English.

Breadth

This course may be used to satisfy the Philosophy and Values or Historical Studies breadth requirement in Letters and Science.

"Professor Feldman is a great instructor. She was very clear in her explanation of the texts and was open to any questions her students may have had. She went above and beyond to make the course and material engaging and accessible. She's also funny!" junior in fall 2011 Discovery Course

"Before this course, I had little knowledge of philosophy. In signing up for it, I was slightly worried it'd be difficult to comprehend the material taught. Professor Feldman broke down the challenging concepts and taught me that with some practice, I could do the same." student in fall 2011 Discovery Course